New Thrifty Gifty - Organised for Christmas and all ocassions 2010- Santas Challenges

foxy219

Morning all, had quite a productive day yesterday, made my first yule log without supervision - it has turned out quite nice and tastes delish! OH took me and the kids into town in the afternoon on the tram so that we could see the Christmas lights and do a bit of light shopping - we had some unused vouchers, so OH bought a pair of trainers that cost £5 once the vouchers had been applied, and we also bought some Christmas presents for ourselves out of the JL vouchers so that they didn't cost us anything either. I am going to treat myself with my share in the sales and he is going to buy a jacket for an extortionate amount of money that he wouldn't normally entertain, so at least we both get what we want! I bought the kids a couple of nice warm jumpers/cardigans for this cold weather and then had a girlie night last night. A few drinks and a chinese, we drew our secret santa partners (well happy with mine, know exactly what to get her!) and a couple of games of bingo. Night cost about £10 in total, and that included a taxi home - can't beat it!
Got home tho to find DD had a high temp, and was really hot to touch, got the nurofen out and it appears to have worked its magic. Although she was shouting for me this morning(she is such a daddy's girl it really surprised me!) so I brought her downstairs about an hour ago, gave her more nurofen and we sat having cuddles, whether its the nurofen or the cuddles they have certainly done the job as she is a lot happier now!
Got to get my head down and do some revision today, am going to get OH on the case of some of the challenges - including retidying the bedrooms! And hopefully will get the rest of the Christmas cards written later on whilst watching X factor results!
Well that is the plan anyway!!!
Pip- sorry to hear about your grandad, he would not want you to be down at Christmas - try and remember the good times and raise a glass to him on the day xx
Sarah - it seems like ages since I saw your name. Hope work has settled down now and you are on the forum more often!
Everyone else - the day is getting ever closer! Four weeks time and we'll be planning for 2011!!

pinkflop

Morning everyone!

I have been offline all week thanks to my DS breaking the charger on my (very old) laptop! I had always intended to buy a new one on Friday anyway (got some backpay I was owed) so wasnt too bothered but it's meant I have had a week to catch up on here and you have all been so busy!!!!

So I have a shiny new laptop and am back in business!!!!

Mum2one - hope you are getting better now. That must have been so frightening for you. I am glad you have your family around to help you and sounds like you have a good nurse with Miss Hoodie!

Pips Mum - so sorry to hear about your grandad. Big hugs xxxxx

Esmer - cookies look very yummy - I shall make those today with my DS

So sorry cant mention everyone else by name, but it was alot of pages to go back over this morning!!! So sorry.

Well, I am in the christmas mood now thanks to my tree going up yesterday!!! My DS dad was down this weekend (lives 300 miles away and visits once every 2 months) and I thought it would be nice for them to do the tree together. We went to a christmas craft fayre in the morning (got some christmas cake fudge and a gorgeous "Fairy Door" to attach to a tree for my sister) then went to B&Q and chose our fresh tree. We then spent the afternoon dressing the tree and my ex said he really loved doing it as it's been years since he has decorated a tree. I still have a huge box of decs to sort and put up - things like lights for the window, the wreath for the door, christmas candles etc etc. I'll do that later on I think.

Christmas shopping is going ok. I seem to have ground to a halt this week. I finished my DS sock monkey for his christmas eve hamper and I got a load of socks to do some more (didnt scan at Mr S so appears I got them free!). I need to get a load of hot choc and I will do the snowman soup this week for my DS teachers at school. My list is saved on my old laptop (I have got a week old one saved on disc) so need to get it on my new laptop asap as I am not sure what's left to do... I fear it is alot!!!

Sorry if I'm rambling!! I am off to make some breakfast and to get more tea!!!

Hope everyone has a lovely christmassy day!

rufusdog52

Morning everyone

Pipsmum - sorry about your Grandad, nice to see you back xx

Sarah - Hello again, nice to see you too xx

Esmer - those cookies look delicious xx

I managed to get all of the wrapping done for things that were already down out of the loft. Went to watch youngest son play ice hockey in the afternoon and was expecting OH to get the rest down while I was out but he hadn't so hopefully he might get them today. Two big Father Christmas's did find their way down though lol, one is in front room and one in dining room. Will be doing the rest of the decorations on Weds or Thurs. We always have our tree in the window so means we have to move the furniture about to fit it in so the stereo which is plugged into the tv as well had to be moved, so OH did this and had to re run all the wires around the room for the speakers etc so that took the afternoon up.

Was freezing in the Ice Bowl but when we came out it was even colder. Still havent had any snow (we are in the South East), glad as I hate going out in it, nice to see out the window but I really dont feel safe walking about on it.

Off to Dad's in a bit, hes a bit upset this morning as the lady next door hasnt been well and he found out yesterday from her relatives that she is in the local hospice and they dont expect her to come out again. My Dad used to talk to her a lot when his cancer was first diagnosed last Christmas, she didnt have it herself then but was diagnosed in the spring, so they been supporting each other all this year. I think it brings it all back to last year when he was unwell over Christmas, plus when we lost my Mum she was ill Christmas too. Will pop to Morrys on the way and take him in a nice lunch. May be with the things going on over Christmas might take his mind off it all.

Catch you all later, Rufus xx

Ddraig

Looks like you all gone into bake mode.Im still crafting,lol.
Was up til midnight getting my T$^%na account up to 50,000. And woke up at 7,so tired.Kids driving me bonkers.Well,one is.In the mood to crack on today though.Just trying not to let the OH mardy face rub off on me,lol.
Be back on in a bit.My light will prob stay on as I keep pc running next to me as I craft.xx

scattymam1

The books are good esmer - light reads, all about christmas planning and stuff - gets u right in the mood - I've only just started the mystery shopper one though!

Pips_Mum

Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts and words.

Foxy- You are right, he would not want us to be sad.

Rufus - How sad for your Dad x x

OH got our Decs down last night as he was up the loft anyway, I cant put them up until after the 4th (his Birthday) so will be tripping over them all week!! I want to put them up 1 evening when Pip has gone to bed so he comes down in the morning and "wow!". I have a few days off this week so we will be making the Christmas cake, a little late but I am sure it will still be nice. Wednesday or Thursday we will take Pip to see Santa.
I have written most of my cards, just have a few more and then I will start on the wrapping, eeeeeeeeeeeek! Got upset yesterday as I found a 'Nanna and Grandad' card that I bought in the sales and obviously wont be using (ha ha ha I just realised that sounded like I was upset I couldnt use them!!)

Have a good day all x x

Legendmum

Pips Mum - So sorry about your Grandad! ((Hugs))

Well DS has bee ill with sickness bug all weekend! Managed to get the tree down last night and this morning finally put it up and most of the other decs although DS helped which wasnt the best idea as at one stage I had a leaning Christmas Tree as he had put every bauble on the same branch!
OH took me to Tesco as I dont like driving in this weather and he could stay in the car with DS making the shop easier! Have managed to do most of the wrapping but not got much else done as DS needs to be in bed because he is just so nosy!
Need to make fudge, shortbread, mince pies and chocolate slabs but will start that next week as not sure how long everything keeps~? It is freezing outside so the heating is taking a hammering and so is the tumble drier with DS being sick all over beds and blankets every so often!
Off to cwtch up and watch Miracle on 34th Street now, hopefully DS will approve otherwise its back to Fireman Sam!
Take care all!
xxx

esmer

Made it to Mr T's (just) out main roads are not clear It was a bit icy..............

Came home and we built a snowman,



and by that time, my bread had prooved........... baked and now cooling

mary-op

Hello all :j
esmer - your little one is so cute and was a brilliant snowman............and not to forget that yummy loaf of bread.....:T

sarah - good to see you back:T

pipsmum -sorry to hear about your grandad. These times are never pleasant and always seem worse near Christmas. But your Grandad would have wanted you to have a good time regardless.

All I've done today (apart from knocking coffee all over the kitchen table :eek:) has been to re-arrange grandaughters stuff in her box to check I'd got it all and also check what it cost and then debate to myself what to give a friend and a lady who used to be really good to mum when she was in the care home..........she put my mind at rest popping in and out when I couldn't so she deserves a pressie ...not sure whether to give her a button necklace, specs case, kitchen organiser or all three ???? Think I'll consult with OH...............hes the hero of the day.......coming back from his sunday lunch time pint or several he noticed smoke coming from someones garage just as they were leaving the house (garage joins on to house).....closer look the wooden beams were smouldering away and if left the whole house might have gone up so he rang the fire brigade and all is now safe. :A

Hope you're all ok and keeping warm:)

NickyBo_2

Esmer - excellent snowman and bread! And what a cutie daughter too

Mary - good job your OH was passing by!

Well, I had my driving lesson and despite the snow I drove better than I have for a while! I am determind to take (and pass) my driving test next year. I have started learning to drive twice before and both times I stopped as I just can't stand driving, but I'm forcing myself now as it's really inconvenient for DH having to ferry me around. Also, my little boy told me the other day that 'ladies aren't allowed to drive' and I realised I'm probably responsible for creating a sexist attitude in him as he's never seen me drive .

Went food shopping and picked up a few extra bits for Christmas. Also got some alcohol for over Christmas - DH has put it in the garage so we're not tempted to open it too early Managed to pick up a few little presents as well.

Now I'm off to make apricot and ginger chutney, hope it goes well!